Investing in people: EU funding for employment and social inclusion (28/07/2014)

Volume 7 of the Social Europe guide focuses on EU funding instruments used to help people into employment or out of poverty and social exclusion. The guide outlines the aims and objectives of four specific funds: the European Social Fund (ESF); the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD); the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI); and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF).

The implementation of simplified cost options with the ESF in Italy: a case study - ESF thematic paper (25/07/2014)

SCOs were introduced in the 2007–2013 programming period for ESF in order to reduce the administrative burden on Managing Authorities when implementing ESF co-funded projects and on beneficiaries. SCOs enable also to shift the focus from input to output and results. This thematic paper shares the Italian experience with this tool in the hope that good practices can be taken up by other EU countries when managing ESF projects.

Assessing the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the ESF Learning Networks (03/07/2014)

This summary presents the findings of an evaluation aimed at assessing the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the ESF Learning Networks. Findings are based on research undertaken between May 2013 and April 2014.

Youth Employment Initiative and the European Social Fund - ESF thematic paper (31/03/2014)

This thematic paper provides an overview of the European Social Fund's track record in supporting initiatives for combatting youth unemployment and its potential to provide further and better targeted support to young people in the 2014-20 programming period. The brochure furthermore details the legal context, functioning and objectives of the newly launched Youth Employment Initiative which represents substantial dedicated funding to support Member State policies to combat youth unemployment.

This overall synthesis report of the main ESF achievements over the 2007-2013 programming period is based on a review of Annual Implementation Reports delivered by Member States (to extract statistical and other key data and information) and on evidence from evaluations carried out in the respective countries to create a country report organised around 6 policy fields - increasing adaptability, enhancing access to employment, reinforcing social inclusion, enhancing investment in human capital, promoting partnerships and strengthening institutional capacity. Drawing on the evidence presented in these country reports, the overall synthesis report provides a picture of what has been achieved by the ESF. The results reported are generally based on data and evaluations covering the period 2007 to end 2012.

Info graphic: Transparent and effective public services (07/02/2014)

Reducing regulatory and administrative burdens and promoting high standards of transparency, efficency and accountability in public administration helps to increase productivity, strengthen competitiveness and ultimately, create jobs. The European Social Fund (ESF) is a concrete European contribution to national policy reforms in the area of public administration and good governance.

Promoting inclusive growth - ESF thematic paper (31/01/2014)

The changing economic and social climate over the past years has caused a rethink of policies governing the labour market, social inclusion and education. The current emphasis is on anti-crisis, short-term measures aimed at limiting unemployment and reigning in social disparities. Nonetheless, the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU now accounts for nearly one-fourth of the EU population. The European Social Fund is playing a key role in helping Member States increase employment and skills by training their work force, reducing poverty and cut across bottle-necks in the job market by reforming education and training systems and boosting worker mobility.

A well run public administration system benefits people and business. The ongoing economic challenges mean less money is available for administrative activities: but good governance and legal certainty is central to economic growth. Through support to organisational and technological innovation via improvement of systems, structures and processes, human resources and service delivery, the European Social Fund is helping administrations across the EU rise to the challenge.

The European Social Fund (ESF) supports organisations around the EU to put in place projects aimed at training people and helping them get work. Projects supporting small start-ups with timely funding and companies who want to re-think their approach to their older workers are also funded. In a challenging job market, the ESF helps people make the most of their opportunities.

Info graphic: More jobs, less marginalisation (22/11/2013)

Employment is the most effective way of giving people independence, financial security and a sense of belonging. The European Social Fund (ESF) finances many thousands of projects to help people in difficulties and those from disadvantaged groups to get skills, to get jobs and have the same opportunities as others do.

The ESF finances thousands of projects to help young people get the training and opportunities they need in order to find work. The ESF also helps countries put in place the Youth Guarantee Scheme for the 15–24s.

Youth Employment Initiative – eligible regions (19/11/2013)

The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) will exclusively support young people not in employment, education or training in regions experiencing youth unemployment rates above 25%.

The Union's cohesion policy – funded with EUR 346 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund - represents 35 % of the Union's budget over the period 2007-2013. Together with the co-financing provided by Member States, cohesion policy accounts for a very significant proportion of public investment in Europe. As part of the essential economic policy package of macro-economic and fiscal stability, structural reforms and growth enhancing measures, EU cohesion policy is making a significant contribution to investments in employment and growth in Europe.

Final Synthesis Report on Women and Young People - ESF Expert Evaluation Network (01/07/2013)

This synthesis report focuses on the support provided by ESF to women and young people. The main resource used in creating the synthesis report is a set of 10 detailed country reports, 5 focussed on women (DE, ES, GR, PL and UK) and 5 on young people (AT, CZ, FR, IT and PT).

Study of the ESF-Intervention, its set-up and impact in Germany (27/05/2013)

This study analyses the specific contribution from the ESF to the promotion of employment opportunities, education and social inclusion in Germany, based on the experience in the 2007-2013 programming period.

In preparation of the ESF 2014-2020 multi-annual framework, the European Commission organised a learning seminar on setting and adjusting targets for ESF Operational Programmes. To account for expenditures, indicators on outputs (numbers of participants, entities) and results (numbers of participants finding employment, gaining a qualification etc.) are essential. This background paper discusses methodologies for setting and adjusting quantified cumulative employment targets.

In preparation for the programming period 2014-2020 Member States are required to develop performance indicators and set targets for monitoring the implementation and performance of Operational Programmes (OPs). This background paper summarises the main methodologies for ESF target setting and adjusting in OPs in social inclusion.

This second Synthesis Report from the ESF Expert Evaluation Network assesses ESF-supported Access to Employment actions across the 27 Member States on the basis of country reports.

Sweden and the European Social Fund (07/08/2012)

Sweden is using ESF funding to achieve its aim of full employment and a more cohesive society. Education and training initiatives are helping disadvantaged groups, such as the low-qualified, to obtain skills and get into jobs. Sweden is also helping employers and workers to acquire the modern skills and competences they need to ensure sustainable growth in the future.

Ireland and the European Social Fund (07/08/2012)

The economic crisis has le Ireland facing some major challenges. Over
EUR 750 million of ESF funding is being channelled into reversing the
rapid rise in unemployment seen in recent years. Retraining the workforce with new skills for new industrial sectors, and giving citizens from disadvantaged groups the skills to improve their job prospects, are the two main priorities.

Evaluation of the ESF support to Lifelong Learning (31/07/2012)

This summary relates to a study of the use of the European Social Fund (ESF) to support lifelong learning (LLL) during the 2000-6 and 2007-13 programming periods.

Slovakia is using ESF funding to tackle high-levels of long-term unemployment and significant regional disparities. Over EUR 1.7 billion is being invested in a wide range of projects aimed at improving the situation for employment and social inclusion through support for jobs and better access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities – key factors for future economic growth.

Romania and the European Social Fund (11/07/2012)

Romania is deploying ESF funds to give its people the jobs and skills they need to benefit from the modernisation of its economy and convergence to EU living standards. Projects are addressing a wide range of activities, from education and training to helping the young, older workers and women gain access to work and careers. And Romania is building a fairer society with focused efforts to help poor, rural populations and its Roma citizens to get the same opportunities for education and jobs as everyone else.

Poland and the European Social Fund (11/07/2012)

Poland is using ESF funds to boost the links between science, innovation and industry and to train the highly qualified workers companies need as the economy switches towards more technology-oriented sectors. Reforms to the education and training system are under way to support this effort. And the job prospects of disadvantaged groups are being improved through training and social enterprise.

Malta and the European Social Fund (11/07/2012)

Malta is investing over EUR 131 million in measures aimed at improving the qualifications, skills and active participation of its workforce. With limited natural resources, Malta’s economy is more dependent than others on the quality of its workers and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances. So ESF funding is helping to build a culture of education and training in Malta and encouraging a greater level of participation in working life.

Lithuania and the European Social Fund (11/07/2012)

Lithuania is focusing on ensuring high-quality jobs and social inclusion, promoting lifelong learning, increasing the opportunities for its technical graduates and boosting the efficiency of public administration. Through these activities, ESF funding is helping citizens take an active and equal part in the country’s economic future, with particular attention to those most affected by the recent rise in unemployment.

Latvia and the European Social Fund (11/07/2012)

A key aim of Latvia’s growth strategy is to shift its economy towards more hi-tech industrial sectors as well as boosting exports. In view of this, ESF activities are targeting better jobs for workers, through better education and training. In particular, Latvia is promoting technical careers for young people, and more vocational training for workers, the unemployed and vulnerable groups as a way of improving living standards and avoiding the trap of long-term unemployment.

Hungary and the European Social Fund (11/07/2012)

Hungary has set itself ambitious targets in its bid to build a strong, competitive, dynamic and sustainable economy. Over EUR 4 billion is being invested through ESF programmes to meet the specific challenges that the country is facing – particularly the low percentage of the population in jobs, high long-term unemployment, and persisting inequalities of opportunity between regions and between specific sections of the population.

Hungary and the European Social Fund

Greece and the European Social Fund (11/07/2012)

With ESF support, Greece is taking determined measures to make its companies more competitive and export-led while giving its workers the improved skills they need to find jobs. The education system is helping young people to obtain higher qualifications, and Greece is using lifelong learning as an integral tool to improve job prospects. Furthermore, ESF funding is focused on helping the most vulnerable groups to overcome obstacles to work.

Cyprus and the European Social Fund (10/07/2012)

Cyprus is deploying ESF funding to equip workers with new skills and competences such that they can drive the modernisation of the country’s economy. And support for women, young people, older workers and the lowskilled is helping them get jobs and raise their living standards. At the same time, the education system is being redesigned to raise standards and
ensure young Cypriots have the best qualifications and prospects for their
future working lives.

Belgium and the European social Fund (10/07/2012)

Belgium is benefiting from more than EUR 1 billion from the ESF to implement employment initiatives across all of the country's Communities and Regions. ESF help will therefore enable it to tackle the problems associated in particular with the low employment rate and the ageing population. Each of the Belgian entities has access to ESF funding to support employment, encourage initial and ongoing training, improve social inclusion and combat all forms of discrimination.

Belgium and the European Social Fund

The United Kingdom and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

The UK is investing in employment and education as a means to overcome bottlenecks to growth. As part of this, the UK is deploying over EUR 8.6 billion of ESF funding to help broaden the country’s skills base and open routes to work and success for all citizens, wherever their starting point. Better skills are also targeted as a way of making the British workforce the most adaptable and flexible in the EU.

The United Kingdom and the ESF

Spain and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

Spain is using ESF funding to keep workers employed and help job-seekers get back to work. Better education and vocational training are targeted as the means to ensure a more skilled workforce for the future, as are better job prospects for the young, women, the low-skilled and disadvantaged groups – to boost their participation in a more dynamic labour market.

Portugal and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

Portugal is modernising its economy while offering all of its people the chance to acquire the new skills that will help them benefit from future growth. The education system is being boosted at all levels, people in work are getting training opportunities, and focused help is available for those social groups facing obstacles to finding a job.

The Netherlands and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

With ESF support, the Netherlands is dedicating close to EUR 2 billion to proactive measures to help more people into work and improve skills. Part of this eff ort includes reaching out to disadvantaged groups, and reducing the number of early school leavers. In addition, the Netherlands is encouraging its companies to train workers in new skills and to seek new, innovative ways of improving performance.

Luxembourg and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

With ESF support, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is helping people facing obstacles to work, such as older workers and young people with few qualifications, to improve their skills and job prospects. Boosting a culture of lifelong learning is another priority, to ensure workers can keep their skills up to date and benefit from the job opportunities on offer today and in the future.

Italy and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

Italy is supporting job creation in its many successful SMEs by giving workers the skills they need to improve competitiveness and boost exportled performance. ESF funding is also focusing on helping more women and people from disadvantaged groups into work, while building stronger entrepreneurial links between universities, graduate students and industry.

Germany and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

With ESF support, Germany is dedicating close to EUR 16 billion to proactive measures to meet the challenge of its ageing workforce and ensure continued growth. At federal level, ESF programmes focus on getting more people into work through supporting job creation and entrepreneurship, while in the Länder, young people, skills and education are priorities. Together, these activities are nurturing the highly skilled workers Germany needs for growth, today and for the future.

France and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

France receives EUR 5.4 billion of ESF funding to implement employment and training actions on the French mainland and in France’s overseas departments. This ESF support also enables France to fight inequality and to help companies adapt to economic development. These are the stra tegic priorities for boosting growth and strengthening France’s international competitiveness.

Finland and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

Finland’s main source of growth over the past decade has been in its dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises which have created over 75 % of new jobs since 1995. ESF funding is supporting enterprise and job creation, with an emphasis on greater ‘internationalisation’, as well as addressing the challenges of a rapidly ageing population, diminishing workforce and long-term unemployment in certain sections of the population.

Estonia and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

Estonia is nurturing high-technology and knowledge-based industries and services that need new workers – with the skills and know-how to ensure success and growth. So ESF funding is helping Estonian workers join in and drive this transformation – by off ering opportunities for training and lifelong learning, updating the education system for young people, and ensuring everyone – from all social groups – has the chance to embrace change.

Denmark and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

Denmark is spending over EUR 500 million on its ‘More and Better Jobs’ ESF programme to equip more of its people with more and better skills. This is vital to nurture high living standards, improve competitiveness and ensure that an ageing population does not put future growth at risk. Danish ESF spending is also boosting the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among many social groups.

The Czech Republic and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

ESF funding is helping Czech workers to take an active part in their country’s future growth through improved education and training opportunities, better adaptation of training to the needs of the market, and better job opportunities for all. And improvements to the education system are under way that will equip Czech graduates with the high-level skills needed to thrive in an innovative, competitive economy.

Czech Republic and the ESF

Bulgaria and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

Thanks to ESF support, Bulgaria is spending nearly EUR 1.4 billion on measures to support education and training, strengthen its public administration and reduce poverty. This investment is helping Bulgaria boost workers’ skills and prospects and improve public services – particularly those supporting business and employment – thus ensuring all of its citizens, including vulnerable groups like the Roma, can benefit from future growth.

Austria and the European Social Fund (13/06/2012)

With ESF support, Austria is spending EUR 1.1 billion on forward-looking measures to meet the challenge of its ageing workforce and ensure continued growth. ESF programmes focus on getting more people into work through supporting education, training and job creation for the unemployed, women, people with a migration background and other disadvantaged groups.

Evaluation of the reaction of the ESF to the economic and financial crisis (21/05/2012)

This Final Report on the ‘Evaluation of the reaction of the ESF to the economic and financial crisis’ provides an assessment of the part that the ESF has played in helping the EU and Member States respond to the challenges posed by the recent recession.

Country Reports N - U: Evaluation of ESF Support for Enhancing Access to the Labour Market and the Social Inclusion of Migrants and Ethnic Minorities (01/05/2011)

Country reports on ESF support for labour market access and social inclusion of ethnic minorities and migrants.

Reports and executive summaries: Evaluation of ESF Support for Enhancing Access to the Labour Market and the Social Inclusion of Migrants and Ethnic Minorities (01/05/2011)

Executive summaries and reports on ESF support to migrants and ethnic minorities, including a Roma Thematic Report.

Country Reports A - L: Evaluation of ESF Support for Enhancing Access to the Labour Market and the Social Inclusion of Migrants and Ethnic Minorities (01/05/2011)

Country reports on ESF support for labour market access and social inclusion of ethnic minorities and migrants.

Final Report, Executive Summaries, Country Monographs and Case Studies - Assessment of administrative and institutional capacity building interventions and future needs in the context of ESF (28/04/2011)

The study aims to provide an analysis of the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of ESF interventions in administrative and institutional capacity building.

Developing logics of intervention and related common indicators for the next ESF Operational Programmes (04/04/2011)

The logic of intervention framework developed by this study is presented in a table format so that Operational Programmes (OPs) can be summarised systematically and in a manner that makes the logical flow of the OP, including the choice of indicators, transparent.

Capacity of the ESF delivery systems to attract and support OP target groups (08/03/2011)

The purpose of this evaluation has been to provide knowledge on how ESF delivery systems work in practice, with a view to improving the capacity of the delivery systems in the Member States to attract and support Operational Programme target groups.

Evaluation of the European Social Fund's support to Gender Equality (24/01/2011)

This Report presents a synthesis of the findings from country-level analyses conducted on each of the 27 EU Member States and on six specific aspects of gender-equality policy, and it puts forward recommendations.

Final report for the ex-post evaluation of the European Social Fund (2000-2006) (10/12/2010)

The ex post evaluation of the ESF (2000-2006) aimed to assess the multiple impacts of ESF programmes.

Special Eurobarometer 350 / Wave 73.5 about the European Social Fund (01/11/2010)

Study on the Return on ESF Investment in Human Capital (01/08/2010)

This study applies to human capital investments understood as public expenditures in: (1) education and training of employees, job-seekers and/or
inactive people, (2) internships and temporary work placement associated
with education or training, and (3) strengthening the capacity of education
and training systems and structures.

Mid-term evaluation of the work carried out by the European Commission to communicate on the European Social Fund (ESF) during the programming period 2007-2013 (30/07/2010)

This evaluation examined the ESF I&C activities/tools undertaken and produced by the EC 2007-2009 and indicated if and how activities/tools were used, found to be appropriate and useful by respective target audiences.

Final report of the ex-post evaluation of the EQUAL Community Initiative (2000-2006) (17/03/2010)

The ex post evaluation of EQUAL was part of the ESF 2000-2006 ex post evaluation.

Eurobarometer survey (01/01/2010)

The majority of Europeans believe the EU can actively help their
countries to recover from the impact of the economic downturn.
According to a recent opinion survey, more and more people are also
aware of the European Social Fund and have their own views on where
Europe should be directing its efforts.

Synthesis of EU 15 evaluation reports on EQUAL during 2007 and 2008 (27/11/2009)

The main aim of this synthesis exercise is twofold: to allow better exploitation of the results of EQUAL in the preparation, management, monitoring and evaluation of future programmes, and to facilitate the post-evaluation of the programme.

Synthesis of EU 10 evaluation reports on EQUAL from 2006 to 2009 (09/11/2009)

This report provides a synthesis of the national evaluation reports of the EQUAL Programmes in the EU10 Member States submitted to the European
Commission within 2006 and 2009.

Evaluation of Article 6 call for projects on the Innovative Management of Change (01/08/2009)

The results of the evaluation are designed to be appropriate for use in policy development within DG Employment and Social Affairs and to animate discussion with Member States and relevant stakeholders about innovative actions and mainstream operations supported by the ESF.

Evaluation of the information systems and monitoring arrangements for the programmes supported by the ESF (16/07/2007)

The aim of this study is twofold: a) to identify and test a set of concepts and criteria capable of assessing the adequacy to the implementation context of monitoring systems for ESF co-financed programmes, and b) to provide guiding elements on the promotion and facilitation of monitoring arrangements during the 2007-13 programming period.